How to keep your Keller home cool and improve indoor air quality

Summer heat may be good if you're at the beach or pool, but when you're at home, it often means fighting scorching temperatures with costly air conditioning. Not only can this feel like an endless battle during the dog days of summer, but leaving the trapped hot air in your Keller home can also worsen indoor air quality.

Considering people spend an average of 90 percent of their time indoors, this is a big deal. Proper ventilation has many benefits, from keeping a home comfortable all summer long to improving overall home health, including removing pollutants and stale indoor air to improve air purity. What's more, when you ventilate strategically, you can enjoy cost savings as you won't have to use your air conditioner as frequently.

You may be able to block the sun strategically using blinds and shades while opening windows on the particularly cool evenings, but if you really want to embrace the trend of healthy home ventilation, consider systems that focus on specific parts of your home, including the attic, garage and indoor spaces.

Whole house fans

Whole House Fans don’t just recirculate air in your home like air conditioning does; they work by continuously replacing it with fresh air in your home and attic. Whole House Fans will pull the cool, fresh outside air into your living spaces through your windows. Then they push hot, stale indoor air through your attic and out the vents.

During the warmer months, using a Whole House Fan cools the air in your house as well as the structure and contents. This helps cool your home including your attic by up to 30 degrees, allowing those areas to stay much cooler the following day, which is the principle of Thermal Mass Cooling. This equates to fresher air and lower overall costs to keep your home cool when compared to air conditioning.

Attic fans

When the heat of summer hits, hot air needs to be vented from your attic to keep living spaces comfortable, air conditioning units from overworking, and roof structures and materials from deteriorating. With attic fans, your attic stays cool and dry while you enjoy greater comfort in your home, lower utility bills and prolonged roof life.

These solar-powered attic fans help keep spaces from reaching incredibly high temperatures when the sun beats down on the top of a home, plus you can feel good about adding to the eco-friendly features of your home. 

Garage fans

For many people, the garage is an extension of the home and offers a bounty of usable space. Whether it's your place to work on your car, your fitness or a DIY project, you want to keep the heat out. There are 2 great solutions: powered and solar-ventilation fans to remove heat and fumes from any garage all day, so you can enjoy your garage in total comfort.

Solar-powered systems run all day without using any electricity so you keep the entire space cool with no cost to operate. You can mount different solar fans on the side of the garage or the roof depending if you have an open ceiling or a living space above the garage. For garages with attic space above them, keep both spaces cool and comfortable and your Keller home protected from the elements with a garage fan that pulls hot air out of the garage and attic while bringing cool air in from the outside.

With people spending more time indoors than ever before, it's important to stay comfortable while also being mindful of indoor air quality. Smart ventilation systems let you have both comfort and cool during the toughest days of summer.

Whether it's selling your home or finding a new one, we have designed this site so that you can quickly and easily locate the information you are looking for. The Grove Team's client-centered approach results in the best possible outcome for you. Please contact us now to begin the process of achieving your dreams in home ownership. Call 817-337-0000 for Keller Home's for sale in Keller ISD.

How Keller homeowners can enjoy outdoor living year-round

A one-of-a-kind, all-seasons deck is possible for Keller homeowners if the right features are included in the design. The key is to combine features that protect from the elements, and use the right materials to make it happen.

Whether you’re revamping an existing area or creating a brand-new outdoor living space to enjoy all year long, the following deck additions can turn any project into an all-seasons to enjoy with family and friends.

1) Overhead covering on a deck can shield guests from the elements directly, as well as provide a scaffold for features such as a ceiling fan, which can cool the area in the warmer months and improve heated air flow during cooler months. Homeowners can choose from deck shades or awnings in a variety of materials to defend against rain and wind, or to reduce sun exposure and cool the area. A pergola is also a beautiful addition to a custom deck that doesn’t provide full coverage like a roof or awning but can serve as a solid framework for other features such as climbing vines or hanging plants that provide cover and ambiance.

2) Retractable walls are a high-tech option that allows for free air movement during the mild spring and fall, and protection from sun, wind, rain, snow and even bugs during the extreme summer and winter. Some luxury decks and patios utilize retractable glass walls for a defense against wind or rain that doesn’t obstruct the view. A more common tactic is to install retractable screen walls, which can be motorized, and are meant primarily to keep insects out of the patio area. Retractable privacy walls, usually in the form of canvas or polyester fabric horizontal shades, can provide a respite from weather and enhance the feeling of a private sanctuary.

3) Low-maintenance materials are a must for any outdoor living space when homeowners would like to spend time enjoying, rather than performing backbreaking annual maintenance. Taking care of traditional wood decking can be a difficult and frustrating process since it is subject to staining and splintering and may require annual sanding and painting. Composite decking is growing in popularity across the U.S. for its lower maintenance requirements and unparalleled beauty that can emulate anything from the rustic beauty of reclaimed wood to the high-impact look of exotic hardwoods.

4) Incorporate the elements into the deck in a controlled way to boost enjoyment of an outdoor living space regardless of the season. For colder months, adding a fire element can provide a cozy and mesmerizing focal point. Arranging comfortable seating around a fireplace or fire pit provides a great place to gather with friends and family and provide warmth on a cool summer night or fall weekend. During the hotter months, installing a water element can provide a cooling touch and a visual centerpiece. Fountains, misters or even a lap pool can provide a welcome respite from the heat during the summer, and a soothing, meditative backdrop for the rest of the year.

Although decks are generally a mild-weather attraction, there are many ways to make an outdoor living space functional and enjoyable during the rest of the year for Keller homeowners.Transform a deck into an all-seasons sanctuary with special features and low-maintenance composite decking to make the most of the beauty of the outdoors without sacrificing the comfort and style of your outdoor retreat.

Whether it's selling your home or finding a new one, we have designed this site so that you can quickly and easily locate the information you are looking for. The Grove Team's client-centered approach results in the best possible outcome for you. Please contact us now to begin the process of achieving your dreams in home ownership. Call 817-337-0000 for Keller Home's for sale in Keller ISD.

Make your Keller backyard eco-friendly

The green movement is thriving, with Keller homeowners and those across the country looking for ways to make their properties more eco-friendly. During the summer months, turn your attention outdoors by choosing smart landscape projects that provide ample opportunity to make spaces look great and also support Mother Nature.

Not sure where to start? Here are some simple ways to transform your yard into an eco-friendly paradise:

Opt for native plants

When you're planning your landscape, consider perennial plants that are native to your area. These come back year after year with minimal effort from you because they thrive in your climate and are naturally resistant to local pests. Keep in mind plants that support local wildlife as well. For example, some plants produce berries that will attract various birds and others will produce flowers that are particularly attractive to bees.

Water wisely

Water is important to maintaining a healthy lawn and landscape, but how and when you water can make a big difference in supporting water conservation. Limit water evaporation and help get water deeply to roots by watering your lawn in the morning or early evening (before 10 a.m. and after 6 p.m.). For flowers and other plants, consider installing a rain barrel system so you can use reclaimed water rather than pulling from the community water supply.

Rent rather than buy

Before you go out and buy all the tools and equipment you need for backyard projects, research what you can rent. Not only does this save you money, but it also limits energy consumption, pollution and waste associated with manufacturing, storing and maintaining new equipment. You can easily find a rental company near you that provides a variety of equipment such as aerators, augers, jackhammers, pressure washers, chainsaws and more.

Use salvaged materials

Instead of visiting the local home improvement store or lumber yard to get materials for your backyard projects, consider if reclaimed materials are an option. For example, if you're building a patio, recycled bricks or pavers will do the job just as well as new, they cost less and they impart unique character that you just can’t get from new materials. Look online to find suppliers of salvaged building materials in your area.

Reduce chemical use

Chemicals and fertilizers are often used to green lawns, but these can run off and pollute the local water supply. You can reduce or eliminate these unhealthy lawn care habits by looking for natural alternatives at stores and seeking out other proactive activities to support a healthy lawn. For example, instead of using chemical dethatchers, rent a dethatching machine and aerator to improve your lawn's health naturally.

Mulch strategically

Adding mulch around landscaping not only looks great, but it's also eco-friendly. Spread 1 to 2 inches of mulch around shrubs, trees, flowers and other landscape features to improve the outdoor aesthetics, plus you'll help the soil retain moisture and regulate its temperature, all while limiting weed growth. You can purchase various kinds of mulch or rent a chipper to make your own mulch from wood in your yard.

These six eco-friendly ideas for backyard improvement will help you green your spaces while saving money — and all are Mother Nature approved. Keller homeowners can really make progress this summer.

Whether it's selling your home or finding a new one, we have designed this site so that you can quickly and easily locate the information you are looking for. The Grove Team's client-centered approach results in the best possible outcome for you. Please contact us now to begin the process of achieving your dreams in home ownership. Call 817-337-0000 for Keller Home's for sale in Keller ISD.

4 Intriguing home upgrades for Keller residents

With a bustling household and busy family schedules, updates to your Keller home are often a low priority compared to time spent with loved ones. Consider four home improvement ideas fit for the entire family, which require little time commitment and deliver long-lasting benefits.

1. Pick paint colors that age well. Paint can dramatically transform a space, so when you choose a color, pay attention to tones that age well. While kids are drawn to bright hues, reach for colors that are soft on the eyes. Choose colors that work in harmony, like whites and blushes; charcoals and blues; and sages and taupes. To maximize wall space, consider chalkboard paint for calendars, to-do lists and a creative outlet for kids to draw. With the proper equipment — plenty of painters’ tape, goggles and mask filters — painting can involve the whole family.

2. Choose multipurpose shower fixtures. Whether you are a parent, caregiver or pet lover, the bathtub and shower are multi-functional spaces. Modern smart showers are equipped with a shower head and a detachable hand shower with multiple spray settings, which provides all family members with flexibility and a drenching shower experience. New technology offers more coverage than a standard shower head. Plus, with sleek transitional designs, this upgrade adds an element of style to the bathroom.

3. Stay safe with smart features. Beyond the appeal of high-tech gadgets, smart home devices encourage eco-friendly choices and safety for the entire family. Start simple with voice-enabled lightbulbs, customized to control each room of the house. The kids can prompt the speaker to turn off lights in their rooms when not being used. As an added layer of home security, install a video doorbell to teach the family to practice awareness when the doorbell rings. Consider smart locks to lock and unlock doors, receiving notifications when a family member comes and goes — all from the convenience of your mobile device.

4. Contain your cupboards. Consolidate food storage bins with collapsible containers to provide easy organization when packing lunches, storing leftovers and meal prepping, without having to search for a lid that fits. In the pantry, store tiny boxes of food, such as baking mixes and bags of spices, in clear boxes as a way to spot your supply and avoid scattered or spilled ingredients. In cupboard areas that are most visited, consider a rotating tray so nothing hides in the back to spoil, freeze or be forgotten, while also maintaining order when hungry little hands are searching for snacks. Spice cabinets, beverages in the refrigerator and snack drawers are the perfect starting point.

These upgrades will have your family functioning in a design-forward, eco-friendly and highly organized Keller home.

Whether it's selling your home or finding a new one, we have designed this site so that you can quickly and easily locate the information you are looking for. The Grove Team's client-centered approach results in the best possible outcome for you. Please contact us now to begin the process of achieving your dreams in home owners